Tom Maciejewski

for Berkeley Heights

Berkeley Heights Town Council negotiated a PILOT deal
with developers of the 100 Locust property. Under the
details of this deal, the developers could potentially only pay 20%
of their fair share of taxes for the development.

In an attempt to understand why we are giving developers such
drastic tax abatements, I OPRA'd the Cost Benefit Analysis
for the 100 Locust PILOT.

It appears either the Council never bothered to do one OR they do
not want the public to see it. Here is what they
replied:

"The documents that you are requesting are exempt from OPRA
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A.1-1, they are inter-agency or
intra-agency advisory, consultative or deliberative materials.
"

Are the Berkeley Heights Town Council giving out tax abatements
without need? Or why are the details being hidden from the
residents?